Endless waves in Maharashtra’s GPS reporting

On August 26, 2024, a statue of the Maratha hero Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Malvan collapsed. The Opposition parties protested angrily, accusing corruption in the creation of this statue. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Maharashtra, the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is a never-ending battlefield of political action. In the two years since I started reporting on the State GPS – governance, politics and society – there hasn’t been a bad day. New conflicts often arise before old ones even begin to cool down.

The strong efforts of the Opposition parties keep the issues in the open, while the ruling period is far behind in bringing complaints, either through traditional media or writing to X.

The political climate here is markedly different than in Telangana, where I reported from 2015 to 2022. In Telangana, the TRS (now BRS) government led by K. Chandrashekhar Rao has dominated the narrative, leaving little room for opposition, as the Opposition is weakened by rebellion and has little representation in the Assembly. The reporting there felt like monologue, with few challenges to the ruling party’s agenda. Opposition parties have struggled to make themselves heard. In contrast, the Opposition MVA in the Western Province is speaking out, challenging the government at every step.

In the midst of this storm, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture. Issues that dominate the headlines one day can disappear from public awareness as quickly as they arise. This is not only a sign of the unstable political situation of the Kingdom, but it reflects the evolving news cycle.

The worst news is it doesn’t get the follow-up it deserves. As journalists, we try to keep up with the pace, but too many stories can sometimes take away our willingness to revisit stories once they’re off the front page. It is a challenge to ensure that important issues are not lost in the noise. I have found myself dealing with this issue more than once. However, we often write long-form pieces in these stories, hoping to provide depth and context that is quickly lost.

One of the first controversies I covered after shifting to Maharashtra was Vedanta Foxconn’s decision to open a semiconductor factory in neighboring Gujarat instead of Maharashtra. The opposition criticized the Eknath Shinde-led government for its apparent failure. The issue hit the headlines, and journalists were caught in the crosshairs of press conferences, statements and counter-statements. But like many other problems, the sound eventually died down. The media has continued with the politicians, leaving a trail of unanswered questions.

The latest issue that we journalists have lost track of is the alleged sexual harassment of two girls at a kindergarten in Badlapur. The streets were full of angry voices demanding justice, and the media played their part. But then on August 26, a huge statue of Maratha hero Shivaji Maharaj collapsed. The Opposition parties protested angrily, accusing corruption in the creation of this image. The sexual assault case was covered in no time. This is a stark reminder of how quickly things can change, and how easily media attention can be diverted. The role of the Opposition cannot be overstated, as it keeps the government in check and, more than that, keeps us journalists in our own.

Among the many daily stories, some stories refuse to fade away. Be it the ongoing battle over reservation for the Maratha community or the endless debate on development, these issues keep coming back, demanding attention.

We continue to release the buzz and deliver the essentials while we wait – the next big event, twist, and revelation. This constant upheaval is frustrating, but it’s what makes reporting on Maharashtra’s GPS so rewarding.